They also cared. When there was no one else around, they cared, they shared, they loved. Not because they had to, but simply because they wanted to. For that I will always be grateful. Who are they? They are my friends, my guy friends, my girl friends, my old friends, my new friends. I don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for them. I probably would not be sitting here writing this blog.

Many times in my life, I have walked and stood alone, physically there was no one around. I believe that to help me carry the burden and the weight of the pain, someone has always presented themselves to walk with me. Every time I sat down and wondered how I was going to make it, someone helped me up. Always at the moment when I thought there was no one who cared, no one to comfort me, they were always on time.

As we all know by now, friends come and friends go. Some stay for longer than others. One thing I am certain of at this stage in my life is they have always made my broken heel moments feel a bit more comfortable. They never questioned me, they didn’t doubt me, they held my hand and wiped my tears through it all.  They shared as much as they could with me. When I had nowhere to live, they opened up their doors, telling their parents that I needed a place to stay. When I needed a couch to sleep on, they welcomed me with open arms.  When I was in battle mode against myself or others, they put on their armour and fought with me. No matter the time. When I did not believe in myself, they believed in me so much that through them I saw that I did have potential. With their help, I started to see that I was worth something. I lifted my chin up and walked, although I stumbled along the way, I walked knowing that they would be there to hold my hand along the way. I know that they didn’t have to, but they did, which is why I will always be indebted to them for that. They served as my surrogate family, teaching me things about myself and life that I did not know.  Most importantly, they are just as quick to tell me my rights, as they are to tell me my wrongs. Always being true with me. To some people family is everything, to others they don’t have the same family, one thing I do know is whether its through blood relation or by association you can create a family for yourself through your network of people that care for you.

In this post, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has been in my life, to teach me a lesson. Whether or not we still talk I will never forget the lesson. I will never forget that you helped lift me beyond the places I once was. I love you for that, and you will always be in my heart no matter what. You will never know just how strong you have made me.